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Neil M. Thomas, PhD
My research revolves around determining the sensorimotor transformations that subserve human movement, with an emphasis on the impacts of ageing. My goals are firstly to discern why older adults exhibit behaviour indicative of a reduced ability to accommodate and/or adapt to their surrounds (e.g. in the context of falls risk); and secondly, to generate evidence-based guidance on appropriate use and design/modification of older adult spaces to optimise safety and comfort. I employ a human-centred and data-driven approach that leverages state-of-the-art in psychology; human perception; eye tracking; and biomechanical modelling.
Education
PhD, Visuomotor Neuroscience
University of Lancaster
Lancaster, UK
2017 - 2014
- Thesis: The effects of eye movements on postural control.
- Supervisors: Drs. Theodoros M. Bampouras & Susan Dewhurst, Prof. Tim Donovan.
- Disseminated results in 3 scientific papers (first-author), see “Publications”, several conferences, see “Conference Proceedings”, and the local news.
- Won Research Project of the Year award at host institution.
BSc, Sports and Exercise Science (First-Class Hons)
University of Cumbria
Lancaster, UK
2014 - 2011
- Published dissertation in scientific paper (first-author).
- Completed and published outcome of NHS Service Evaluation, received runner-up poster prize at NHS Research and Innovation Showcase.
Professional & Research Experience
Product Specialist
Pupil Labs GmbH
Berlin, DE
Present - 2020
- Software development: Artificial pupil detector, IMU fusion algorithm, Network API tutorials (e.g. network/device synchronisation), customer support (e.g. code snippets).
- Writing: Online documentation and tutorials, research digest blog.
- Product training, tailored research support, sales and product demonstrations.
- Regularly use Python and Git
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2020 - 2017
- Project: Looking in the right places to prevent stair falls in older adults, supervised by Prof. Mark A. Hollands.
- Collected and analysed movement and perception of older adults negotiating stairs to study the links between visual sampling, fear of falling, and biomechanical indicators of falls risk.
- Completed battery of cognitive and physiological assessments to classify higher and lower-ability groups.
- Leveraged cutting-edge eye tracking and motion capture, regularly implemented Python and R.
I have developed and implemented several technical solutions to support my research aims. View my projects here.
Teaching & Mentoring Experience
I attended teacher practice training whilst employed at Liverpool John Moores University, where I subsequently obtained Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Guest Lecturer: Biomechanics Research (level 5)
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK
Present - 2021
- Delivery of a yearly guest lecture on wider Biomechanics research, drawing on own scholarly work to deliver research-led teaching and learning.
PhD Co-supervisor
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
Present - 2018
- Co-supervision of a PhD student in the laboratory of Dr Richard Foster
Sessional Lecturer: Digital Technologies (MED.115, level 4)
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK
2021
- Organised and delivered online module sessions and formative assessments for 29 students
Teaching Support Officer: Cognition, Motor Control, 2D & 3D Motion Capture (levels 4–6)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2021 - 2019
- Organised and delivered practical seminars incorporating demonstrations, problem-based learning and informal assessments/feedback to groups of 6–40 students.
- Module content developed in collaboration with senior staff members, used relevant pedagogical literature, ensuring learning outcomes were met for curriculum.
Mentor/Supervisor
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2020 - 2018
- Trained several junior team members in laboratory techniques (e.g. eye tracking, motion capture, hardware synchronisation) to ensure competence.
Teaching Support Officer: (level 6)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
2018 - 2017
- Supervised final year project data collection in visuomotor control.
- Trained placement students in groups of 3–6 how to evaluate methods of assessing visual perception.
Hourly Paid Academic: Advanced Research Methods (level 6)
University of Cumbria
Lancaster, UK
2017
- Organised and delivered content in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including study design and statistical analysis, to approx. 30 students.
- Marked final year formative written assessments and poster presentations.
Honorary Academic Appointment(s)
Visiting Researcher
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, UK
Present - 2020
Grants and Awards
With the support of Prof. Mark Hollands, I recently submitted my first funding application as Principle Investigator, with the aim of extending our research into real-world environments
Dunhill Medical Trust: PI Suitable Living Environments
200,000 GBP (outcome pending)
Liverpool, UK
2021
- Using body worn sensors to inform data-driven home modifications with the aim of reducing falls risk in older adults
Research Project of the Year
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK
2017
Runner-up Poster Prize
Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust Research and Innovation Showcase
Preston, UK
2013
Selected Publications
The next step in optimising the stair horizontal-vertical illusion: Does a perception-action link exist in older adults?
Experimental Gerontology, 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111309
N/A
2021
- Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, & Foster RJ
Influence of step-surface visual properties on confidence, anxiety, dynamic stability, and gaze behaviour in young and older adults
Human Movement Science, 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102774
N/A
2021
- Thomas NM, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Carpenter MG, Maganaris N, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, & Hollands MA
Optimal lighting levels for stair safety: Influence of lightbulb type and brightness on confidence, dynamic balance and stepping characteristics
Experimental Gerontology, 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110839
N/A
2020
- Thomas NM, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Carpenter MG, Maganaris N, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, & Hollands MA
Children with developmental coordination disorder show altered visuomotor control during stair negotiation associated with heightened state-anxiety
Human Neuroscience, 10.3389/fnhum.2020.589502
N/A
2020
- Parr VP, Foster RJ,Wood G, Thomas NM, & Hollands MA
Eye movements affect postural control in young and older females
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00216
N/A
2016
- Thomas NM, Bampouras TM, Donovan T, & Dewhurst S
Conference Proceedings
Validation of a LiDAR-based player tracking system during football-specific tasks
ISB World Congress
Online
2021
- Thomas NM & Bampouras TM
Lightbulb characteristics affect stepping biomechanics during stair descent in young and older adults
ISPGR World Congress
Edinburgh, UK
2019
- Thomas NM, Lees C, Maganaris N, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Skervin T, Baltzopoulos V, & Hollands MA
Low lighting drives more cautious stair descent in young adults
International Posture Symposium
Smolenice, SK
2018
- Thomas NM, Lees C, Maganaris N, Foster RJ, O’Brien TD, Skervin T, Baltzopoulos V, & Hollands MA
Visually fixating or tracking another person decreases balance control in young and older females walking in a real-world scenario
International Posture Symposium
Smolenice, SK
2018
- Thomas NM, Donovan T, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM
Eye movements affect postural control in young and older females
Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science
Vienna, AT
2016
- Thomas NM, Donovan T, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM
Promoting and monitoring exercise among renal patients
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Research and Innovation Showcase
Preston, UK
2015
- Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM
Homogeneity of fascicle architecture following repeated contractions in the human gastrocnemius medialis
BASES Student Conference
Portsmouth, UK
2014
- Thomas NM, Dewhurst S, & Bampouras TM
Selected Science Writing
Eye tracking reveals altered gaze characteristics in children with developmental coordination disorder1
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N/A
2021
Augmented visualization cues on primary flight display facilitating pilots’ monitoring performance2
N/A
N/A
2021
Optimising the appearance and design of stairs to reduce falls risk in older adults, The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Issue 67 Spring 20213
N/A
N/A
2021
Gaze and walking and how they impact on balance, The Care Home Environment4
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N/A
2018
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
N/A
National Outdoor Leadership School
N/A
Software Carpentry Instructor
N/A
Software Carpentry
N/A
Links
- https://pupil-labs.com/blog/rd-developmental-coordination/
- https://pupil-labs.com/blog/rd-flight-deck-ui/
- https://www.bases.org.uk/sspage-resources-the_sport_and_exercise_scientist-view_tses_articles.html
- https://www.thecarehomeenvironment.com/story/25388/gaze-and-walking-and-how-they-impact-on-balance